About

BIO:Gene A. Felice II bridges his creative practice across art, science, education and design, developing a sustainable network of innovation, living systems, and emerging technologies. His hybrid practice grows at the intersection of nature and technology, developing coactive systems as arts science research. His interactive work uses input sources from bio and eco sensors, cameras, touch screens and online data sources, feeding output from motors, LED’s, video projectors, speakers and more. These interdependent systems of hardware and software translate research through conceptual frameworks into interactive, multi-sensory puzzles. Recent work explores both passive and active modes of interaction, providing multiple ways for the audience to engage with the work. Video and animated imagery displayed via projection mapping, transform two dimensional surfaces and architectural structures into three-dimensional storytelling systems. Throughout his production process, emerging technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutting & CNC milling hybridize with older methods such as wood fabrication, lost wax bronze casting, ceramics, glass casting and more. While keeping site specific histories in mind, he achieves confluence by merging these varied passions into a system of creative collaboration.

Teaching Philosophy:My passion for teaching evolved within a family of educators; my father, sister, wife and her family all working in the field. This collective of teachers has been fundamental to my development as a lifelong learner, building a solid foundation of questioning, experimentation, and collaboration. My education and creative practice has developed under the generous mentorship of artists and educators including Ann Hamilton, Helen & Newton Harrison, Jennifer Parker, Ken Rinaldo, Stelarc and Amy Youngs. These mentors have provided a range of influence and perspective on creativity, scale and complexity that continues to reverberate through all of my creative efforts.

Currently, my teaching responsibility includes both undergraduate and graduate level courses within the New Media department and Intermedia MFA / PHD programs at the University of Maine. In the classroom, I strive to find synergy between direct instruction and active learning by carefully alternating classroom discussion with hands-on exploration, group projects, critique, and self-reflection. I explore the differences between teaching and learning through a constant reevaluation of my pedagogy, examining the ways in which we share and develop knowledge both as individuals and in groups. By regularly checking in with each student one-on-one, I create an individualized learning experience that spans the spectrum of student abilities and needs, establishing clear lines of communication and trust. I make room for my students to absorb complexity by teaching them to break it down into digestible portions. Systems thinking serves as a way for them to explore large scale societal problems by focusing on interaction between the components that form the bigger picture. Group collaboration helps them develop the capacity to adapt beyond their current abilities; absorbing new vocabularies and fresh perspectives. Detailed proposals and self-reflection push my students to re-evaluate their intentions, process and results on a regular basis. Conceptually, I encourage my students to dig deeper into their research, to follow their own path and to connect to their local histories and communities. These approaches equip them with the tools to innovate and adapt to whatever challenges arise in the future.

An essential tool set that I bring to all of my classrooms is the ability to improvise and utilize resources at hand, to optimize current systems and to develop pathways to cutting edge technology. This includes expanding awareness of the palette of analog and digital tools that can be explored throughout a creative practice. As the interim director of the IMRC I have helped develop clear and concise protocols that have improved student access, training and experience with knowledgeable staff, on equipment that will allow them to develop their creative concepts at a sophisticated and professional level. I have also worked with my fellow faculty to embed the learning of new equipment within their classrooms and curriculum so that our students develop a conceptual framework that is supported by a constantly evolving palette of technology. I enjoy opening the minds of my students to the countless hybrid possibilities that exist both within and beyond the screen. This includes mediums / technologies such as: 2D & 3D animation, motion graphics / compositing, interactive web / portfolio development, app / game development through Unity, photo and video shooting / editing, video projection mapping, data visualization / translation, indoor & outdoor multi-media installation, interactive micro-controller based systems, new forms of 2D and 3D prototyping such as laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, mold making /casting and more. With the dawning of a new age of 3D printing and other constantly evolving digital technologies, there is a necessity for making eco-conscious choices in how we make, why we make and who we’re making it for; so that we can avoid filling our landfills and oceans with an endless array of plastic / digital waste. By understanding the materials that we work with, where they come from and will ultimately end up, I hope to inspire future generations to make sustainable, ethical and just choices in how they create.

Helping my students to develop their own conceptual approach to art and design is an essential aspect of my teaching philosophy. I explore the relationships between how we do something technologically and why we chose to do what we do as creative organisms. Transdisciplinary collaboration allows my students to focus with a farsighted viewpoint, bringing in the perspectives of other students and disciplines across academia and into our surrounding communities. This educational framework promotes an adaptable, growth oriented mindset that prepares my students for a constantly shifting landscape.